I think I would have had Dave do a chop top while he was doing all that welding though
Yeah, I've been nagging Archie for years about that. Whole different story with a T-Top though ... won't work with the stock windshield and the alignment of the T's.
Latest updates ... the window is back in as of this afternoon, and the paint finally worked out on the roof panel and door jams. (Had to re sand it a few times, well more like pretty much all weekend long) Sand >Paint> #$%^% it's wrinkling. Wait for it to dry and repeat. Sand>Paint >Clear it >@#$% It's doing it again. Grrrrrrrrr Wait for it to dry, yet again. (This is getting old quick) Sand once more>Paint once more> Clear the whole thing >Looking good ... finally.
Ron the painter stopped by, making a house call, seeing how it is all coming together. (I think he actually likes the little one)
Duplicate rear quarter panel is done. Both fenders should be done this evening and ready to bolt back onto the car.
... and actually would of gotten to putting the rear clip back on, but found some hidden damage. So that's where we left of this evening.
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08:55 PM
May 4th, 2004
WhiteFieroGT Member
Posts: 694 From: Richmond, VA; USA Registered: Oct 2002
quick question tina ... do you do all the work yourself ?
Oh no.
I don't build engines ... leave that to the experts. They go faster and further that way. Maintenance, yes. I don't paint ... outer panels that is. Trim, T-tops and other assorted parts I do do. Fiber glassing, yes and no. Small repairs not visible on the outside I am comfortable doing, but when it comes to large parts like the side scoops, I leave that to the experts as well.
Let's put it this way ... five years ago I knew how to change vital fluids and assorted light bulbs. Then I got a Fiero ... fell in love with the little thing and since developed a rather protective attitude when it comes to anybody but me touching/working on it, but at the same time realize that I sometimes just don't have the skills or talent to make it look like I want it to look. That's where the experts and my check book comes in
Latest update ...
Almost looks like a Fiero again
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11:44 PM
May 5th, 2004
Raydar Member
Posts: 40963 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
When you conscider the amount of damage and work involved to fix it, I think the repair is moving along at a fairly rapid pace. I am sure it is not quick enough for you though Tina. By the looks of it, your car could be back on the road by the 15th.
When I saw your car in person last summer I could not believe how nice it was, in both speed and beauty. It is an example of the potential that our cars have. I am glad that it is being repaired so well. It would be a shame to have lost such a vehicle.
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11:27 AM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Okay Tina, the panels are off. Widen-out that baby with fender flares, and rear bumper. Top-it-off with some wide tires and rims.
Why a wide body? This will keep you from thinking about the accident area thereby giving your wallet a reason for the additional modifications. This also keep members here from thinking about the accident saying: "Yeah Tina added a wide body to her Fiero, a rear deck spoiler, since it was being worked-on and thereby saving herself monies anyway."
This is how I justify for additional items to my Fieros. hehehehe.
------------------
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12:37 PM
Tina Member
Posts: 2858 From: At an elevation of 8564 feet. Registered: Nov 2000
Okay Tina, the panels are off. Widen-out that baby with fender flares, and rear bumper. Top-it-off with some wide tires and rims.
Hehe, not a bad idea. Sadly my checkbook is already strained by paying for the repairs out of my pocket right now, well until the insurance company finally makes up their mind, but you know me ...I could not let this opportunity go by without makes a few slight changes.
As to the car ... out of my hands now for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Delivered it today to the body shop. Actually I could not resist the urge to drive it there. Beautiful day, sunny, 70's, so what if I am missing a few panels. The plan was to summon the roll back once more to get it over to the shop. Instead went to the parts store, purchased 3 gallons of anti freeze, filled 'er up and drove it there.
It's in Ron's/ Unique Body & Paint hands from here.
Tina
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10:09 PM
PFF
System Bot
May 9th, 2004
Wipe0ut Member
Posts: 1524 From: Mankato, MN Registered: May 2002
Wow. That's awesome. Your "curse" is definitely the best looking Fiero I have ever seen in real life. Meeting you at a Mall Of America meet was a plus, too. I'm glad you're getting her repaired, no matter the cost. I can't wait to see it again!
Hey how about a few shots of you and the car?? j/k
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09:54 PM
Tina Member
Posts: 2858 From: At an elevation of 8564 feet. Registered: Nov 2000
No pics of me and the Fiero at the moment ...sniff sniff ... ( seperated for the moment) and do I miss it ever.
How about this to hold you over.
Spend some of my weekend leaving the Fiero chores behind and beating up on unsuspecting Mazdas at the MAZDA REV IT UP Competion. Could I ever do some damage on road courses like these with the Fiero rather than these front wheel drive nose diving 6 cylinder wonders. Not as easy as it seems though, steering a car through a sea of orange cones.Takes some getting used to.
Tina BTW Anybody else from around here go to one of these things?
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11:00 PM
May 11th, 2004
MOBILE Member
Posts: 768 From: Linwood, MN, USA Registered: May 2002
Spend some of my weekend leaving the Fiero chores behind and beating up on unsuspecting Mazdas at the MAZDA REV IT UP Competion. Could I ever do some damage on road courses like these with the Fiero rather than these front wheel drive nose diving 6 cylinder wonders. Not as easy as it seems though, steering a car through a sea of orange cones.Takes some getting used to.
Tina BTW Anybody else from around here go to one of these things?
I almost signed up for it when I saw it mentioned in O/T awhile back, but I ended up being out of town all weekend (which is a good thing too).
Luckily Racingman24 brought me along to a simliar even with Mercedes Benz (their "C Spot Drive Party") where they let us run any of their C-Class vehicles through a test course. They were also giving rides in the AMG cars with "professional drivers" - which was a blast. Not quite as much "racing" as the Mazda event... but fun none the less
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10:26 AM
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
I almost signed up for it when I saw it mentioned in O/T awhile back, but I ended up being out of town all weekend (which is a good thing too).
Luckily Racingman24 brought me along to a simliar even with Mercedes Benz (their "C Spot Drive Party") where they let us run any of their C-Class vehicles through a test course. They were also giving rides in the AMG cars with "professional drivers" - which was a blast. Not quite as much "racing" as the Mazda event... but fun none the less
Know what is funny Rob? I probably took Racingman's reservation if he called it in. :P
Know what is funny Rob? I probably took Racingman's reservation if he called it in. :P
Yeah, except he didn't call it in He did the online registration - so if you were doing the call center thing, did they let you attend one of the parties?
BTW: You coming down for the show this weekend?
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10:00 AM
May 13th, 2004
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
As for the show this weekend, not looking good for gas money.
Why don't you just ask for 'sponsors' to pay for your gas and food? Maybe lodging too? It's been done before.....and you might get a few new Fiero parts, too............
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05:21 PM
PFF
System Bot
Fiero STS Member
Posts: 2045 From: Wyoming, MN. usa Registered: Nov 2001
Wow, I can't believe I've been missing this thread for the past few weeks. This may be kind of late, but I'm glad to hear you're alright, and that the heart of "the curse" is still in good condition. Before you know it, things will be as good as new if not better.
Matt
Hey Matt I know the feeling. At least you saw it a few weeks ago. Wow how did I miss this??? I guess I have been living in a hole.
Tina,
Glad to hear that you are ok. Keep us posted, even us slow to react people.
Edit: Now that I've reached the end of the thread, I'm glad to see the car going back together so quickly!
I could donate some jelly for sandwiches if you paint my name on the side of your car.
Would that be the plum or raspberry or strawberry or my favorite rhubarb/strawberry? For the latter I just might put one of those static stickers to advertise Jean's famous jellies on my car if that insures a steady supply of jelly.
As to the latest news from the Fiero repair saga ...
More hidden damage. After getting a call from the painter, running over there yesterday afternoon and about an hour of 4 people measuring 3 different Fieros. Seems the hinges are in a few more millimeters than they should. The general consensus was the car needed to be pulled a little more to correct things. Delivered it the same afternoon back to the frame shop. (Be done in the morning for you, Tina) Only to get more bad news this morning at the frame shop. Needed a different door. The door I supplied the frame shop had been hit, not noticeable to the naked eye, but enough to throw the measurements off enough for things to not align properly.
Great Where am I going to find a pristine passenger side door in a matter of an hour or two? Thankfully Kevin and PurpleReign came to the rescue and had a passenger side door. Thanks guys, I owe you.
Now the plan was to bring the door right back to the frame shop ...2 or 3 more hours of work by them and return it the same afternoon back to the painter. Well that was the plan That was before I got back to the frame shop who was supposed to take care of the alignment while the door was retrieved, but could not ... seems I have a bent strut as well.
Excuse me while I go in the basement and vent.Think a "screaming hissy fit" is in order. Much needed after the last 24 hours. So, how was everybody else's day?
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06:56 PM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
It was meant light-hearted. I just had a couple of PFFers at my home for the weekend while we finished up a project. We need to help each other out if we can. There are certain individuals that overstep those bounds of friendship, but that is in no way suggested at anyone here. My apologies if it seemed that way.
Tina needs our support to get through this mess. I wish I could help out in some way, but all I can offer is a prayer that everything else goes smooth. I would love to see that car (and her) at the Dells again. She is one great Fiero owner and helps to make us all look good.
Mark
[This message has been edited by Firefox (edited 05-13-2004).]
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11:02 PM
May 14th, 2004
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
Tina; Sorry to hear about more hidden damage! Hope your done finding problems, and can move forward with finishing the Curse! Hang in there wrer all pulling for you. Joe
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12:02 PM
May 19th, 2004
Tina Member
Posts: 2858 From: At an elevation of 8564 feet. Registered: Nov 2000
Finally some time to pin myself behind the PC for a much needed update.
Got the car back here last friday, ...paint looks great. I honestly can't tell (well besides from a couple of missing nicks and scratches) where the new paint starts and the old paint ends. One happy Fiero owner here.
Still quite a few things to put back together, but as of 8:30 PM that's what it looked liked.
On tomorows agenda ... wrestle the roll bar back into the car, finish the headliner and install Jelly2M*'s T-Top bushings.
We are getting there After some long hours over the weekend.
This is where we left off.
Still waiting for my coil over springs, the cylinder head temp sender. Seats and some interior trim need to get bolted in, alignment ... oh yeah ... clean it too.
The goal is to be on the road thursday morning to the Dells.
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11:21 PM
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
Looks like I wont be needed to "haul" it out there
I sure hope we make it on our own power to the Dells. Everything should be fine ... but reality is ... that new engine has not seen running times longer than one 20 minute highway run before it was hit last 2 month ago and a couple of 5/10 minute (mostly idle) times before that. Let's hope I get those springs in tommorow fairly early, the alignment and then some much needed "Quality Tuning Time".
Tina
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12:23 AM
Keesee Member
Posts: 419 From: Coatesville, Indiana Registered: Oct 2003
This is kinda off topic since it was done before the car was hit, but how did you do the reversed hood scoop? I'm very interested in this for my car. BTW, Have you considered painting a coupe of blank grill panels from an '84 to give the rear deck a completely smooth look?
Hope you get everything back in order for the Dells!
)
I guess I have been living in a hole.
